POLS 490R-00P: Advanced Seminar: Citizen Politics in Europe (Spring 2010)

The issue of ordinary people's involvement in public life is a fundamental one for political science. This course will introduce students to problems of citizens' engagement in the political process in the context of both "old" and "new" democracies that make up the European Union. The course will be comparative in nature; however, Germany will be one the major case studies and will be the focus of a research trip to Europe during spring break (March 2010). Students enrolling in the course are required to participate in the trip which will be a part of the final grade. Students should have a valid passport which will remain valid at least six months after the spring break trip is completed. Students who require a visa to enter the European Union should be prepared to apply for that within the first week of class. Flights, accommodation and most ground transportation will be paid for, as well as many meals, but students should be prepared to have spending money with them to pay for some of their other expenses.